Method and system for optimization of data storage for distributed ledgers

ABSTRACT

A method for optimizing blockchain storage size through use of relative values includes: receiving, by a blockchain node in a blockchain network that manages a blockchain, a plurality of blockchain data values, each including unspent transaction outputs, at least one destination address, and, for each destination address, an original currency amount; identifying a base value; modifying the original currency amount included in each blockchain data value to be a relative currency amount based on a difference between the identified base value and the original currency amount; generating a new block, the new block including a block header and the modified plurality of blockchain data values; and transmitting the generated new block to a plurality of additional nodes in the blockchain network.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to optimizing blockchain storage sizethrough use of relative values, specifically using an alternativeblockchain implementation where currency amount and other values arerelative to base values, enabling smaller data sizes in transactions,thereby reducing overall file size of a blockchain.

BACKGROUND

Blockchain was initially created as a storage mechanism for use inconducting payment transactions with a cryptographic currency. Using ablockchain provides a number of benefits, such as decentralization,distributed computing, transparency regarding transactions, and yet alsoproviding anonymity as to the individuals or entities involved in atransaction. One of the more popular aspects of a blockchain is that itis an immutable record: every transaction ever that is part of the chainis stored therein and cannot be changed due to the computationalrequirements and bandwidth limitations, particularly as a chain getslonger and a blockchain network adds more nodes.

However, while the immutability strengthens as the chain gets longer,the data size for the blockchain also increases. As new transactions areadded, the storage size required to store a copy of the blockchain alsoincreases, reaching into gigabytes after a relatively short period oftime (e.g., in less than 10 years, the Bitcoin blockchain exceeded 200gigabytes). Such a size may be a limitation on smaller computer systemsand may be exceedingly difficult for file transfers, particularly notingthat the blockchain would likely add new transactions after a transfer,resulting in additional transfers. Thus, there is a need for animplementation of blockchain that can have smaller data sizes fortransactions, thus reducing the storage size of the blockchain as awhole.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a description of systems and methods foroptimizing blockchain storage size through the use of relative values.When a new blockchain transaction is received by a node, the nodeidentifies a base value to use, either inside the block that the newtransaction will be included in or elsewhere in the blockchain, such asin the genesis block. The currency amount for the new transaction ismodified to be relative based on the base value, which can enable asmaller file size. For example, if the transaction amount is 15326, butthe base value is 15000, the amount in the transaction as it is added tothe blockchain can be reduced to 326, sizing two bits. Similartechniques can also be used on the unspent transaction output indices ina transaction, saving several bits for each index as well. A reductionof ten bits per transaction can, for a chain such as Bitcoin thatexceeds 500 million transactions with 350,000 added per day, have areduction of 600 megabytes, significantly reducing the file size. Themethods and systems discussed herein thereby provide for a significantlysmaller storage size for blockchains through the use of relative values.

A method for optimizing blockchain storage size through use of relativevalues includes: receiving, by a receiver of a blockchain node in ablockchain network that manages a blockchain, a plurality of blockchaindata values, where each blockchain data value includes at least one ormore unspent transaction outputs, at least one destination address, and,for each of the at least one destination address, an original currencyamount; identifying, by a processor of the blockchain node, a basevalue; modifying, by the processor of the blockchain node, the originalcurrency amount included in each of the plurality of blockchain datavalues for each of the at least one destination address to be a relativecurrency amount based on a difference between the identified base valueand the original currency amount; generating, by the processor of theblockchain node, a new block, where the new block includes a blockheader and the modified plurality of blockchain data values, the blockheader including at least a block reference value, a timestamp, and adata reference value based on the modified plurality of blockchain datavalues; and transmitting, by a transmitter of the blockchain node, thegenerated new block to a plurality of additional nodes in the blockchainnetwork.

A system for optimizing blockchain storage size through use of relativevalues includes: a blockchain network that manages a blockchain; aplurality of additional nodes in the blockchain network; and ablockchain node in the blockchain network, the blockchain node includinga receiver receiving a plurality of blockchain data values, where eachblockchain data value includes at least one or more unspent transactionoutputs, at least one destination address, and, for each of the at leastone destination address, an original currency amount, a processoridentifying a base value, modifying the original currency amountincluded in each of the plurality of blockchain data values for each ofthe at least one destination address to be a relative currency amountbased on a difference between the identified base value and the originalcurrency amount, and generating a new block, where the new blockincludes a block header and the modified plurality of blockchain datavalues, the block header including at least a block reference value, atimestamp, and a data reference value based on the modified plurality ofblockchain data values, and a transmitter transmitting the generated newblock to a plurality of additional nodes in the blockchain network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The scope of the present disclosure is best understood from thefollowing detailed description of exemplary embodiments when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Included in the drawings arethe following figures:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a high level system architecturefor optimizing blockchain storage size through relative values inaccordance with exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a blockchain node of the systemof FIG. 1 for optimizing blockchain storage size in accordance withexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the reduction of storage size for ablockchain transaction through the use of relative values in accordancewith exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for optimizingblockchain storage size through use of relative values in accordancewith exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system architecture inaccordance with exemplary embodiments.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description of exemplary embodiments areintended for illustration purposes only and are, therefore, not intendedto necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Glossary of Terms

Blockchain—A public ledger of all transactions of a blockchain-basedcurrency. One or more computing devices may comprise a blockchainnetwork, which may be configured to process and record transactions aspart of a block in the blockchain. Once a block is completed, the blockis added to the blockchain and the transaction record thereby updated.In many instances, the blockchain may be a ledger of transactions inchronological order, or may be presented in any other order that may besuitable for use by the blockchain network. In some configurations,transactions recorded in the blockchain may include a destinationaddress and a currency amount, such that the blockchain records how muchcurrency is attributable to a specific address. In some instances, thetransactions are financial and others not financial, or might includeadditional or different information, such as a source address,timestamp, etc. In some embodiments, a blockchain may also oralternatively include nearly any type of data as a form of transactionthat is or needs to be placed in a distributed database that maintains acontinuously growing list of data records hardened against tampering andrevision, even by its operators, and may be confirmed and validated bythe blockchain network through proof of work and/or any other suitableverification techniques associated therewith. In some cases, dataregarding a given transaction may further include additional data thatis not directly part of the transaction appended to transaction data. Insome instances, the inclusion of such data in a blockchain mayconstitute a transaction. In such instances, a blockchain may not bedirectly associated with a specific digital, virtual, fiat, or othertype of currency.

System for Optimization of Blockchain Storage Size

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for optimizing the storage size of ablockchain through the use of relative values in blockchain transactionsand block headers.

The system 100 may include a blockchain network 104. The blockchainnetwork 104 may be comprised of a plurality of blockchain nodes 102.Each blockchain node 102 may be a computing system, such as illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 5, discussed in more detail below, that is configured toperform functions related to the processing and management of theblockchain, including the generation of blockchain data values,verification of proposed blockchain transactions, verification ofdigital signatures, generation of new blocks, validation of new blocks,and maintenance of a copy of the blockchain.

The blockchain may be a distributed ledger that is comprised of at leasta plurality of blocks. Each block may include at least a block headerand one or more data values. Each block header may include at least atimestamp, a block reference value, and a data reference value. Thetimestamp may be a time at which the block header was generated, and maybe represented using any suitable method (e.g., UNIX timestamp,DateTime, etc.). The block reference value may be a value thatreferences an earlier block (e.g., based on timestamp) in theblockchain. In some embodiments, a block reference value in a blockheader may be a reference to the block header of the most recently addedblock prior to the respective block. In an exemplary embodiment, theblock reference value may be a hash value generated via the hashing ofthe block header of the most recently added block. The data referencevalue may similarly be a reference to the one or more data values storedin the block that includes the block header. In an exemplary embodiment,the data reference value may be a hash value generated via the hashingof the one or more data values. For instance, the block reference valuemay be the root of a Merkle tree generated using the one or more datavalues.

The use of the block reference value and data reference value in eachblock header may result in the blockchain being immutable. Any attemptedmodification to a data value would require the generation of a new datareference value for that block, which would thereby require thesubsequent block's block reference value to be newly generated, furtherrequiring the generation of a new block reference value in everysubsequent block. This would have to be performed and updated in everysingle node in the blockchain network 104 prior to the generation andaddition of a new block to the blockchain in order for the change to bemade permanent. Computational and communication limitations may makesuch a modification exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, thusrendering the blockchain immutable.

In some embodiments, the blockchain may be used to store informationregarding blockchain transactions conducted between two differentblockchain wallets. A blockchain wallet may include a private key of acryptographic key pair that is used to generate digital signatures thatserve as authorization by a payer for a blockchain transaction, wherethe digital signature can be verified by the blockchain network 104using the public key of the cryptographic key pair. In some cases, theterm “blockchain wallet” may refer specifically to the private key. Inother cases, the term “blockchain wallet” may refer to a computingdevice (e.g., sender device 106 and receiver device 108) that stores theprivate key for use thereof in blockchain transactions. For instance,each computing device may each have their own private key for respectivecryptographic key pairs, and may each be a blockchain wallet for use intransactions with the blockchain associated with the blockchain network.Computing devices may be any type of device suitable to store andutilize a blockchain wallet, such as a desktop computer, laptopcomputer, notebook computer, tablet computer, cellular phone, smartphone, smart watch, smart television, wearable computing device,implantable computing device, etc.

Each blockchain data value stored in the blockchain may correspond to ablockchain transaction or other storage of data, as applicable. Ablockchain transaction may consist of at least: a digital signature ofthe sender of currency (e.g., a sender device 106) that is generatedusing the sender's private key, a blockchain address of the recipient ofcurrency (e.g., a receiver device 108) generated using the recipient'spublic key, and a blockchain currency amount that is transferred orother data being stored. In some blockchain transactions, thetransaction may also include one or more blockchain addresses of thesender where blockchain currency is currently stored (e.g., where thedigital signature proves their access to such currency), as well as anaddress generated using the sender's public key for any change that isto be retained by the sender. Addresses to which cryptographic currencyhas been sent that can be used in future transactions are referred to as“output” addresses, as each address was previously used to captureoutput of a prior blockchain transaction, also referred to as “unspenttransactions,” due to there being currency sent to the address in aprior transaction where that currency is still unspent. In some cases, ablockchain transaction may also include the sender's public key, for useby an entity in validating the transaction. For the traditionalprocessing of a blockchain transaction, such data may be provided to ablockchain node 102 in the blockchain network 104, either by the senderor the recipient. The node may verify the digital signature using thepublic key in the cryptographic key pair of the sender's wallet and alsoverify the sender's access to the funds (e.g., that the unspenttransactions have not yet been spent and were sent to address associatedwith the sender's wallet), a process known as “confirmation” of atransaction, and then include the blockchain transaction in a new block.The new block may be validated by other nodes in the blockchain network104 before being added to the blockchain and distributed to all of theblockchain nodes 102 in the blockchain network 104 in traditionalblockchain implementations. In cases where a blockchain data value maynot be related to a blockchain transaction, but instead the storage ofother types of data, blockchain data values may still include orotherwise involve the validation of a digital signature.

In the system 100, blockchain nodes 102 may be configured to modify datain a new blockchain transaction to reduce the data size thereof, therebyreducing the overall storage size of the blockchain compared totraditional blockchains. The sender device 106 may submit a newblockchain transaction to the blockchain node 102 using any suitablecommunication network and method. The new blockchain transaction mayinclude a digital signature, one or more unspent transaction outputs,one or more destination addresses, and, for each destination address, anoriginal currency amount. The unspent transaction outputs may be atransaction index that is a unique reference for the earlier blockchaintransaction that is referenced, where the sender device 106 had receivedcurrency that it wants to spend in the new blockchain transaction. Eachtransaction in the blockchain may have a unique index value, includingthe new blockchain transaction if it is confirmed and added to theblockchain.

The blockchain node 102 may receive the new blockchain transaction andmay modify one or more values thereof to reduce the storage size of thetransaction when added to the blockchain. In an exemplary embodiment,the currency amount for each transaction may be modified from theoriginal currency amount to a relative amount, which is relative to abase value. The base value may be stored in any suitable locationdepending on the implementation of the blockchain. In one embodiment,the base value may be the currency amount of the first transactionincluded in the blockchain. For example, if the first transaction everhas an amount of 10000, and a new transaction is received for 10500 orfor 8500, the transaction amount for the new transaction may be modifiedto be “500” or “−1500” respectively. In another embodiment, the basevalue may be the currency amount for the first transaction in the newblock that will include the new blockchain transaction. In yet anotherembodiment, a base value may be stored in the genesis block that is notdirectly associated with any specific transaction. In anotherembodiment, each block may have its own base value, which may be storedin the block header thereof. For example, the blockchain node 102 mayidentify an average (e.g., mean, median, etc.) transaction amount forall of the transactions that will be included in a new block, where thataverage will serve as the base value for the block. In some cases, theaverage value may be stored in the block header. In other cases, theaverage value may not be stored, as it may be independently generated byany blockchain node 102 when analyzing any transactions in the block, tofurther reduce data storage size.

Once the base value has been identified, the blockchain node 102 canmodify the original currency amount in the new blockchain transaction tobe relative to that base value. In some embodiments, the blockchain node102 may similarly modify other values in the new blockchain transaction.For instance, the new blockchain transaction may be assigned its owntransaction index, and may then modify the unspent transaction outputindices in the new blockchain transaction to be relative to the index ofthe new blockchain transaction. For example, if the new blockchaintransaction is assigned and index of 2839501, and the unspenttransaction output used in the new blockchain transaction has an indexof 2838962, the blockchain node 102 may modify the unspent transactionoutput index to be “539” (e.g., where it being below the newtransaction's index does not have to be indicated as all unspenttransaction outputs would have a lower index due to ordering). In theabove example, the new index value is four bits smaller. In a blockchainwhere indices may be 16 bit values, the same modification would be 13bits smaller. For transactions that include multiple unspent transactionoutputs, the data size savings would be significant, especially on ascale of millions of transactions.

In some embodiments, data stored in a block header may also be modifiedto be relative based on other data. For example, the timestamp in a newblock may be relative to the timestamp of the prior block in theblockchain. For instance, each timestamp may be represented as thenumber of seconds that have passed since the prior block was added tothe chain, as opposed to a UNIX timestamp. In such an example, the sizeof a timestamp may be reduced from 16 bits to one, two, or three bitsdepending on the length of time before the new block is added from theprior block.

The methods and systems discussed herein enable blockchain nodes 102 tocreate an immutable blockchain that has a smaller data storage size thantraditional blockchain implementations. A smaller data storage size canimprove system performance, reduce bandwidth utilized in data transfers(e.g., for the blockchain as a whole, as well as for each individualtransaction and block during confirmation processes), and enable systemsto operate as blockchain nodes 102 that may be otherwise unable. The useof relative values in place of the absolute values in traditionalblockchains provide for a concrete and consistent reduction in the datasize of transactions, which can compound into a significantly reducedfile size over the life of a blockchain.

Blockchain Node

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the blockchain node 102 in thesystem 100. It will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevantart that the embodiment of the blockchain node 102 illustrated in FIG. 2is provided as illustration only and may not be exhaustive to allpossible configurations of the blockchain node 102 suitable forperforming the functions as discussed herein. For example, the computersystem 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 and discussed in more detail below maybe a suitable configuration of the blockchain node 102.

The blockchain node 102 may include a receiving device 202. Thereceiving device 202 may be configured to receive data over one or morenetworks via one or more network protocols. In some instances, thereceiving device 202 may be configured to receive data from otherblockchain nodes 102, sender devices 106, and other systems and entitiesvia one or more communication methods, such as radio frequency, localarea networks, wireless area networks, cellular communication networks,Bluetooth, the Internet, etc. In some embodiments, the receiving device202 may be comprised of multiple devices, such as different receivingdevices for receiving data over different networks, such as a firstreceiving device for receiving data over a local area network and asecond receiving device for receiving data via the Internet. Thereceiving device 202 may receive electronically transmitted datasignals, where data may be superimposed or otherwise encoded on the datasignal and decoded, parsed, read, or otherwise obtained via receipt ofthe data signal by the receiving device 202. In some instances, thereceiving device 202 may include a parsing module for parsing thereceived data signal to obtain the data superimposed thereon. Forexample, the receiving device 202 may include a parser programconfigured to receive and transform the received data signal into usableinput for the functions performed by the processing device to carry outthe methods and systems described herein.

The receiving device 202 may be configured to receive data signalselectronically transmitted by other blockchain nodes 102 that may besuperimposed or otherwise encoded with new transactions forconfirmation, confirmed blockchain transactions, new blocks forconfirmation, confirmed blocks for addition to the blockchain, messagesregarding block confirmations, etc. The receiving device 202 may also beconfigured to receive data signals electronically transmitted by senderdevices 106, which may be superimposed or otherwise encoded with newblockchain transactions, public keys, digital signatures, confirmationmessages for precedence transactions, etc.

The blockchain node 102 may also include a communication module 204. Thecommunication module 204 may be configured to transmit data betweenmodules, engines, databases, memories, and other components of theblockchain node 102 for use in performing the functions discussedherein. The communication module 204 may be comprised of one or morecommunication types and utilize various communication methods forcommunications within a computing device. For example, the communicationmodule 204 may be comprised of a bus, contact pin connectors, wires,etc. In some embodiments, the communication module 204 may also beconfigured to communicate between internal components of the blockchainnode 102 and external components of the blockchain node 102, such asexternally connected databases, display devices, input devices, etc. Theblockchain node 102 may also include a processing device. The processingdevice may be configured to perform the functions of the blockchain node102 discussed herein as will be apparent to persons having skill in therelevant art. In some embodiments, the processing device may includeand/or be comprised of a plurality of engines and/or modules speciallyconfigured to perform one or more functions of the processing device,such as a querying module 214, generation module 216, validation module218, etc. As used herein, the term “module” may be software or hardwareparticularly programmed to receive an input, perform one or moreprocesses using the input, and provides an output. The input, output,and processes performed by various modules will be apparent to oneskilled in the art based upon the present disclosure.

The blockchain node 102 may also include a memory 208. The memory 208may be configured to store data for use by the blockchain node 102 inperforming the functions discussed herein, such as public and privatekeys, symmetric keys, etc. The memory 208 may be configured to storedata using suitable data formatting methods and schema and may be anysuitable type of memory, such as read-only memory, random access memory,etc. The memory 208 may include, for example, encryption keys andalgorithms, communication protocols and standards, data formattingstandards and protocols, program code for modules and applicationprograms of the processing device, and other data that may be suitablefor use by the blockchain node 102 in the performance of the functionsdisclosed herein as will be apparent to persons having skill in therelevant art. In some embodiments, the memory 208 may be comprised of ormay otherwise include a relational database that utilizes structuredquery language for the storage, identification, modifying, updating,accessing, etc. of structured data sets stored therein. The memory 208may be configured to store, for example, cryptographic keys, salts,nonces, communication information for blockchain nodes 102 andblockchain networks 104, address generation and validation algorithms,digital signature generation and validation algorithms, hashingalgorithms for generating reference values, rules regarding generationof new blocks and block headers, a pool of pending transactions, basevalue data, etc.

The blockchain node 102 may also include blockchain data 206, which maybe stored in the memory 208 of the blockchain node 102 or stored in aseparate area within the blockchain node 102 or accessible thereby. Theblockchain data 206 may include a blockchain, which may be comprised ofa plurality of blocks and be associated with the blockchain network 104.In some cases, the blockchain data 206 may further include any otherdata associated with the blockchain and management and performancethereof, such as block generation algorithms, digital signaturegeneration and confirmation algorithms, communication data forblockchain nodes 102, fee data, base value data, etc.

The blockchain node 102 may include a querying module 214. The queryingmodule 214 may be configured to execute queries on databases to identifyinformation. The querying module 214 may receive one or more data valuesor query strings, and may execute a query string based thereon on anindicated database, such as the memory 208 of the blockchain node 102 toidentify information stored therein. The querying module 214 may thenoutput the identified information to an appropriate engine or module ofthe blockchain node 102 as necessary. The querying module 214 may, forexample, execute a query on the blockchain data 206 to identify basevalues to be used in the modification of data values in a new blockchaintransaction to be relative to a respective base value.

The blockchain node 102 may also include a generation module 216. Thegeneration module 216 may be configured to generate data for use by theblockchain node 102 in performing the functions discussed herein. Thegeneration module 216 may receive instructions as input, may generatedata based on the instructions, and may output the generated data to oneor more modules of the blockchain node 102. For example, the generationmodule 216 may be configured to generate new blockchain data values, newblock headers, Merkle roots, new blocks, and other data for operation ofthe blockchain. The generation module 216 may also be configured togenerate a modified blockchain data value for a new blockchaintransaction where original currency amounts and other data valuestherein may be modified to be relative to a base value.

The blockchain node 102 may also include a validation module 218. Thevalidation module 218 may be configured to perform validations for theblockchain node 102 as part of the functions discussed herein. Thevalidation module 218 may receive instructions as input, which may alsoinclude data to be used in performing a validation, may perform avalidation as requested, and may output a result of the validation toanother module or engine of the blockchain node 102. The validationmodule 218 may, for example, be configured to confirm blockchaintransactions by analyzing blockchain data values in the blockchain toensure that the sender device 106 is authorized to use the transactionoutputs included in the new transaction submission and that thetransaction outputs have not been previously used to transfer currencyin another transaction. The validation module 218 may also be configuredto validate digital signatures using public keys and suitable signaturegeneration algorithms.

The blockchain node 102 may also include a transmitting device 220. Thetransmitting device 220 may be configured to transmit data over one ormore networks via one or more network protocols. In some instances, thetransmitting device 220 may be configured to transmit data to otherblockchain nodes 102, sender devices 106, and other entities via one ormore communication methods, local area networks, wireless area networks,cellular communication, Bluetooth, radio frequency, the Internet, etc.In some embodiments, the transmitting device 220 may be comprised ofmultiple devices, such as different transmitting devices fortransmitting data over different networks, such as a first transmittingdevice for transmitting data over a local area network and a secondtransmitting device for transmitting data via the Internet. Thetransmitting device 220 may electronically transmit data signals thathave data superimposed that may be parsed by a receiving computingdevice. In some instances, the transmitting device 220 may include oneor more modules for superimposing, encoding, or otherwise formattingdata into data signals suitable for transmission.

The transmitting device 220 may be configured to electronically transmitdata signals to other blockchain nodes 102 that are superimposed orotherwise encoded with new blockchain data values, new blocks forconfirmation, confirmed blocks, messages regarding block or transactionconfirmations, and other data used in the operation and management ofthe blockchain. The transmitting device 220 may also be configured toelectronically transmit data signals to sender devices 106, which may besuperimposed or otherwise encoded with confirmation requests,notifications regarding transaction processing, etc.

Optimization of Data Size of a Blockchain Transaction

FIG. 3 illustrates the use of relative values as discussed above toreduce the data storage size of a blockchain transaction.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a blockchain transaction 302 may include aplurality of data values. In the illustrated example, the blockchaintransaction 302 includes a transaction index for the blockchaintransaction 302, an index for the unspent transaction output that isbeing spent in the blockchain transaction 302, and two transactionoutputs. Each transaction output includes a destination blockchainaddress and a corresponding transfer amount that is being sent to thataddress.

As also illustrated in FIG. 3, a blockchain node 102 may modify theblockchain transaction 302 into a modified transaction 304, by changingdata values to be relative to other values. In the illustrated example,the unspent transaction output may be modified to be relative to thetransaction index for the blockchain transaction 302. The unspenttransaction output is thus modified from “39678” to “363,” a reductionof two bits. Similarly, the transfer amount in each of the transactionoutputs may be modified to be relative to a base value of 15000,reducing the transfer amounts from “15238” and “15492” to “238” and“492,” respectively, a reduction of two bits each. The resultingmodified transaction 304 is six bits smaller than the originalblockchain transaction 302.

In a blockchain where hundreds of thousands of transactions are added tothe chain each day, a reduction of six bits per transaction results inthe present blockchain adding 73 megabytes less than a traditionalblockchain for each 100,000 transactions. Furthermore, FIG. 3illustrates indices and transaction amounts of five bits for easierreadability. In many blockchains, such as in Bitcoin, transactionindices are 32 bits and transaction amounts are 64 bits. Similarreductions in such a blockchain transaction where the transaction hastwo inputs and three outputs would save 241 bits (e.g., 29 for eachunspent transaction output index and 61 for each transfer amount). For100,000 of such transactions, this is a reduction of 2.87 gigabytes inthe present blockchain. Accordingly, the data storage size reductionprovided by the methods and systems discussed herein can be significantcompared to traditional blockchain implementations.

Exemplary Method for Optimizing Blockchain Storage Size

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for optimizing blockchain storage sizethrough the use of relative values for at least the currency amountbeing transferred in a blockchain transaction.

In step 402, a plurality of blockchain data values may be received by areceiver (e.g., receiving device 202) of a blockchain node (e.g.,blockchain node 102) in a blockchain network (e.g., blockchain network104) that manages a blockchain, where each blockchain data valueincludes at least one or more unspent transaction outputs, at least onedestination address, and, for each of the at least one destinationaddress, an original currency amount. In step 404, a base value may beidentified by a processor (e.g., querying module 214) of the blockchainnode. In one embodiment, the base value may be stored in a genesis blockin the blockchain. In another embodiment, the base value may be theoriginal currency amount in a first blockchain data value of theplurality of blockchain data values. In a further embodiment, the firstblockchain data value may be first in the plurality of blockchain datavalues stored in the generated new block.

In step 406, the original currency amount included in each of theplurality of blockchain data values for each of the at least onedestination address may be modified by the processor (e.g., generationmodule 216) of the blockchain node to be a relative currency amountbased on a difference between the identified base value and the originalcurrency amount. In step 408, a new block may be generated by theprocessor (e.g., generation module 216) of the blockchain node, wherethe new block includes a block header and the modified plurality ofblockchain data values, the block header including at least a blockreference value, a timestamp, and a data reference value based on themodified plurality of blockchain data values. In step 410, the generatednew block may be transmitted by a transmitter (e.g., transmitting device220) of the blockchain node to a plurality of additional nodes in theblockchain network.

In one embodiment, the block header may further include the base value.In some embodiments, the method 400 may further include identifying, bythe processor of the blockchain node, an average currency amount basedon the original currency amount included in each of the plurality ofblockchain data values for each of the at least one destination address,wherein the base value is the average currency amount. In oneembodiment, the timestamp may be a difference in time between a presenttime of the blockchain node and a relative time. In a furtherembodiment, the relative time may be stored in a genesis block in theblockchain. In another further embodiment, the relative time may be atimestamp of a previous block in the blockchain.

Computer System Architecture

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system 500 in which embodiments of thepresent disclosure, or portions thereof, may be implemented ascomputer-readable code. For example, the blockchain nodes 102 of FIGS. 1and 2 may be implemented in the computer system 500 using hardware,non-transitory computer readable media having instructions storedthereon, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or morecomputer systems or other processing systems. Hardware may embodymodules and components used to implement the methods of FIGS. 3 and 4.

If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a commerciallyavailable processing platform configured by executable software code tobecome a specific purpose computer or a special purpose device (e.g.,programmable logic array, application-specific integrated circuit,etc.). A person having ordinary skill in the art may appreciate thatembodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be practiced withvarious computer system configurations, including multi-coremultiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, computerslinked or clustered with distributed functions, as well as pervasive orminiature computers that may be embedded into virtually any device. Forinstance, at least one processor device and a memory may be used toimplement the above described embodiments.

A processor unit or device as discussed herein may be a singleprocessor, a plurality of processors, or combinations thereof. Processordevices may have one or more processor “cores.” The terms “computerprogram medium,” “non-transitory computer readable medium,” and“computer usable medium” as discussed herein are used to generally referto tangible media such as a removable storage unit 518, a removablestorage unit 522, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 512.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in terms ofthis example computer system 500. After reading this description, itwill become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how toimplement the present disclosure using other computer systems and/orcomputer architectures. Although operations may be described as asequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed inparallel, concurrently, and/or in a distributed environment, and withprogram code stored locally or remotely for access by single ormulti-processor machines. In addition, in some embodiments the order ofoperations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of thedisclosed subject matter.

Processor device 504 may be a special purpose or a general purposeprocessor device specifically configured to perform the functionsdiscussed herein. The processor device 504 may be connected to acommunications infrastructure 506, such as a bus, message queue,network, multi-core message-passing scheme, etc. The network may be anynetwork suitable for performing the functions as disclosed herein andmay include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), awireless network (e.g., WiFi), a mobile communication network, asatellite network, the Internet, fiber optic, coaxial cable, infrared,radio frequency (RF), or any combination thereof. Other suitable networktypes and configurations will be apparent to persons having skill in therelevant art. The computer system 500 may also include a main memory 508(e.g., random access memory, read-only memory, etc.), and may alsoinclude a secondary memory 510. The secondary memory 510 may include thehard disk drive 512 and a removable storage drive 514, such as a floppydisk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flashmemory, etc.

The removable storage drive 514 may read from and/or write to theremovable storage unit 518 in a well-known manner. The removable storageunit 518 may include a removable storage media that may be read by andwritten to by the removable storage drive 514. For example, if theremovable storage drive 514 is a floppy disk drive or universal serialbus port, the removable storage unit 518 may be a floppy disk orportable flash drive, respectively. In one embodiment, the removablestorage unit 518 may be non-transitory computer readable recordingmedia.

In some embodiments, the secondary memory 510 may include alternativemeans for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loadedinto the computer system 500, for example, the removable storage unit522 and an interface 520. Examples of such means may include a programcartridge and cartridge interface (e.g., as found in video gamesystems), a removable memory chip (e.g., EEPROM, PROM, etc.) andassociated socket, and other removable storage units 522 and interfaces520 as will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant art.

Data stored in the computer system 500 (e.g., in the main memory 508and/or the secondary memory 510) may be stored on any type of suitablecomputer readable media, such as optical storage (e.g., a compact disc,digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.) or magnetic tape storage(e.g., a hard disk drive). The data may be configured in any type ofsuitable database configuration, such as a relational database, astructured query language (SQL) database, a distributed database, anobject database, etc. Suitable configurations and storage types will beapparent to persons having skill in the relevant art.

The computer system 500 may also include a communications interface 524.The communications interface 524 may be configured to allow software anddata to be transferred between the computer system 500 and externaldevices. Exemplary communications interfaces 524 may include a modem, anetwork interface (e.g., an Ethernet card), a communications port, aPCMCIA slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via thecommunications interface 524 may be in the form of signals, which may beelectronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals as will beapparent to persons having skill in the relevant art. The signals maytravel via a communications path 526, which may be configured to carrythe signals and may be implemented using wire, cable, fiber optics, aphone line, a cellular phone link, a radio frequency link, etc.

The computer system 500 may further include a display interface 502. Thedisplay interface 502 may be configured to allow data to be transferredbetween the computer system 500 and external display 530. Exemplarydisplay interfaces 502 may include high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI), digital visual interface (DVI), video graphics array (VGA), etc.The display 530 may be any suitable type of display for displaying datatransmitted via the display interface 502 of the computer system 500,including a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, liquid crystal display(LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) display, capacitive touch display,thin-film transistor (TFT) display, etc.

Computer program medium and computer usable medium may refer tomemories, such as the main memory 508 and secondary memory 510, whichmay be memory semiconductors (e.g., DRAMs, etc.). These computer programproducts may be means for providing software to the computer system 500.Computer programs (e.g., computer control logic) may be stored in themain memory 508 and/or the secondary memory 510. Computer programs mayalso be received via the communications interface 524. Such computerprograms, when executed, may enable computer system 500 to implement thepresent methods as discussed herein. In particular, the computerprograms, when executed, may enable processor device 504 to implementthe methods illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 4, as discussed herein.Accordingly, such computer programs may represent controllers of thecomputer system 500. Where the present disclosure is implemented usingsoftware, the software may be stored in a computer program product andloaded into the computer system 500 using the removable storage drive514, interface 520, and hard disk drive 512, or communications interface524.

The processor device 504 may comprise one or more modules or enginesconfigured to perform the functions of the computer system 500. Each ofthe modules or engines may be implemented using hardware and, in someinstances, may also utilize software, such as corresponding to programcode and/or programs stored in the main memory 508 or secondary memory510. In such instances, program code may be compiled by the processordevice 504 (e.g., by a compiling module or engine) prior to execution bythe hardware of the computer system 500. For example, the program codemay be source code written in a programming language that is translatedinto a lower level language, such as assembly language or machine code,for execution by the processor device 504 and/or any additional hardwarecomponents of the computer system 500. The process of compiling mayinclude the use of lexical analysis, preprocessing, parsing, semanticanalysis, syntax-directed translation, code generation, codeoptimization, and any other techniques that may be suitable fortranslation of program code into a lower level language suitable forcontrolling the computer system 500 to perform the functions disclosedherein. It will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant artthat such processes result in the computer system 500 being a speciallyconfigured computer system 500 uniquely programmed to perform thefunctions discussed above.

Techniques consistent with the present disclosure provide, among otherfeatures, systems and methods for optimizing blockchain storage sizethrough use of relative values. While various exemplary embodiments ofthe disclosed system and method have been described above it should beunderstood that they have been presented for purposes of example only,not limitations. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the disclosureto the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practicing ofthe disclosure, without departing from the breadth or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for optimizing blockchain storage sizethrough use of relative values, comprising: receiving, by a receiver ofa blockchain node in a blockchain network that manages a blockchain, aplurality of blockchain data values, where each blockchain data valueincludes at least one or more unspent transaction outputs, at least onedestination address, and, for each of the at least one destinationaddress, an original currency amount; identifying, by a processor of theblockchain node, a base value; modifying, by the processor of theblockchain node, the original currency amount included in each of theplurality of blockchain data values for each of the at least onedestination address to be a relative currency amount based on adifference between the identified base value and the original currencyamount; generating, by the processor of the blockchain node, a newblock, where the new block includes a block header and the modifiedplurality of blockchain data values, the block header including at leasta block reference value, a timestamp, and a data reference value basedon the modified plurality of blockchain data values; and transmitting,by a transmitter of the blockchain node, the generated new block to aplurality of additional nodes in the blockchain network.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the base value is stored in a genesis block in theblockchain.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the base value is theoriginal currency amount in a first blockchain data value of theplurality of blockchain data values.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinthe first blockchain data value is first in the plurality of blockchaindata values stored in the generated new block.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the block header further includes the base value.
 6. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: identifying, by the processor of theblockchain node, an average currency amount based on the originalcurrency amount included in each of the plurality of blockchain datavalues for each of the at least one destination address, wherein thebase value is the average currency amount.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the timestamp is a difference in time between a present time ofthe blockchain node and a relative time.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein the relative time is stored in a genesis block in theblockchain.
 9. A system for optimizing blockchain storage size throughuse of relative values, comprising: a blockchain network that manages ablockchain; a plurality of additional nodes in the blockchain network;and a blockchain node in the blockchain network, the blockchain nodeincluding a receiver receiving a plurality of blockchain data values,where each blockchain data value includes at least one or more unspenttransaction outputs, at least one destination address, and, for each ofthe at least one destination address, an original currency amount, aprocessor identifying a base value, modifying the original currencyamount included in each of the plurality of blockchain data values foreach of the at least one destination address to be a relative currencyamount based on a difference between the identified base value and theoriginal currency amount, and generating a new block, where the newblock includes a block header and the modified plurality of blockchaindata values, the block header including at least a block referencevalue, a timestamp, and a data reference value based on the modifiedplurality of blockchain data values, and a transmitter transmitting thegenerated new block to a plurality of additional nodes in the blockchainnetwork.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the base value is stored ina genesis block in the blockchain.
 11. The system of claim 9, whereinthe base value is the original currency amount in a first blockchaindata value of the plurality of blockchain data values.
 12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the first blockchain data value is first in theplurality of blockchain data values stored in the generated new block.13. The system of claim 9, wherein the block header further includes thebase value.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor of theblockchain node further identifies an average currency amount based onthe original currency amount included in each of the plurality ofblockchain data values for each of the at least one destination address,and the base value is the average currency amount.
 15. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the timestamp is a difference in time between a presenttime of the blockchain node and a relative time.
 16. The system of claim15, wherein the relative time is stored in a genesis block in theblockchain.